Santa Barbara Real Estate

The City of Santa Barbara

Situated on the American Riviera that runs due west to Los Angeles, Santa Barbara is home to over 90,000 Californians. The Mission Santa Barbara, the Queen of Missions, was established in the region in 1786, and gave the city its name. The mild Mediterranean climate is perfect for cultivating grapes, which has led to Santa Barbara's position of importance in the California wine industry. Santa Barbara has miles of coastline, and inland, the city covers the foothills of the Santa Ynez Mountains. To the north, the Santa Ynez Valley hosts vineyards, horse ranches and country estates.

Homes in Santa Barbara, CA

Santa Barbara real estate is represented by the California bungalow style and by Spanish influenced mission style homes. The average price of homes for sale in Santa Barbara is over $900,000.

Goleta borders the Santa Barbara Municipal Airport and provides convenient access to the University of California at Santa Barbara. The Goleta real estate is valued well above the California average, with a median price for a single family home at over $900,000. However, that high average price is somewhat misleading. Many 3-bedroom homes for sale in Goleta can be found for under $800,000.

The Hope Ranch neighborhood is south of the La Cumbre Country Club. This ocean-side community is like a piece of country in the city. Horse ranches, sprawling estates, and private beach access are major draws to the area. Hope Ranch real estate is at the top end of the market, with small acreages starting at 2.5 million dollars.

Mission Canyon lies to the north of central Santa Barbara. this neighborhood is part of the city's Mission District. The hilltop location drives real estate values in Mission Canyon. Average prices for homes for sale in Mission Canyon start just under a million dollars and range upward as the buyer ascends the hill.

Santa Barbara, CA Schools

The Santa Barbara School District is one of the oldest systems of public schools in the state of California. More than 15,000 students are enrolled in all grades. 12 Santa Barbara public schools have been recognized as California Distinguished Schools, an honor reserved for the top three percent of all schools in California. Half of all Santa Barbara public elementary schools scored the maximum on the state's academic performance index. The Santa Barbara schools have a rich tradition of top quality music instruction at all levels, especially in elementary and intermediate grades.

Business in Santa Barbara

The first Motel 6 got its start in Santa Barbara in 1962, and the service and hospitality industry remains an important part of the local economy. Other important industries are retail trade, manufacturing and transportation. The County of Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara Cottage Hospital and Santa Barbara City College are major employers in the area.

Santa Barbara Real Estate Agents

The real estate listings tell only part of the story of Santa Barbara real estate. A Santa Barbara real estate agent helps buyers uncover the best values in the area's real estate market. A local realtor knows the trends and how to put them to work for their clients.